When I’m not working as a personal trainer or writing this column, I spend my time working as an editor for an organization that provides continuing education for fitness professionals. One of the perks of this job is that the idea of wellness is at the forefront of everything we do. Our mission to “Inspire the World to Fitness and Wellness” begins with the employees.

For example, every Tuesday at lunchtime, one of the other editors holds an hour-long meditation class; our resident Pilates instructor teaches PiYo, a Pilates and yoga fusion. On Fridays, we are given an allotment of wellness days to do with what we will, and we each receive free memberships to a nearby gym.

Although these job perks are uncommon in the United States, a great many major organizations are following suit as they realize the importance of helping employees achieve greater wellness. Not only does this lead to better adjusted workers, but it also means greater productivity and extra zeros added to the bottom line. But what exactly is wellness? Why is it important? How can it be achieved?

“Wellness is not simply an absence of disease or infirmity,” says Hillcrest-based wellness coach Mary Bratcher, M.A., DipLC. “Although the absence of physical ailments is certainly a part of wellness, it only encompasses one aspect of it.” According to the Don Ardell Wellness Model, developed by wellness guru Donald B. Ardell, Ph.D., wellness comprises three main categories: physical, meaning and purpose and mental. Within each are subcategories such as stress management, fitness and exercise, spirituality, emotional intelligence, play, humor and more. “In short, wellness can be described as a person’s physical, mental and emotional condition,” adds Bratcher.

According to the Web site of The National Wellness Institute, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that seeks to help professionals and organizations locate resources to improve the well-being of both individuals and groups, “Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.”

There are many benefits in achieving wellness, and they reach far beyond goofy grins. For example, an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2003 found a decreased prevalence in dementia among older adults who regularly participated in both cognitive and physical activities such as playing musical instruments, dancing and reading. Further, a study of women with metastatic breast cancer participating in supportive expressive group therapy found an increase in mood and a reduction of pain perception. A study of 80,348 participants determined a direct correlation between physical activity and lower morbidity rates. The list goes on and on. From programs that offer canine companionship to increased physical activity to positive thinking, researchers are continually promising greater self-esteem, feelings of well-being, improved quality of life and even lowered death rates. “The beautiful thing about wellness is that it is something everyone can have,” says Bratcher. “It isn’t restricted to race, gender, sexual orientation or occupation. It isn’t dependent upon income, heredity or inheritance. It’s a state of mind and is 100 percent within control.” Happiness, fulfillment, enjoyment, achievement, efficiency, self-confidence and longevity are all results of improving one’s wellness, she continues.

According to Bratcher, signs that a person is lacking in wellness can be both obvious and subtle. “Obvious signs that a person’s wellness is lacking can include physical pain (back pain, headaches, stomach aches, chest pains, respiratory problems, migraines, etc.); difficulty falling asleep; loss of appetite; and lethargy.” Subtle signs include, but are not limited to, irritability, hives or rashes, tearfulness, loss of interest in work or hobbies, feeling down or depressed, withdrawal, irrational worries or fears, binge eating or drinking, and engaging in risky behavior (drug taking, unprotected sex, etc.). If you experience any of these symptoms, it might be time for self reflection to determine the steps necessary to get back on track.

“The most important thing a person can do to improve his wellness on a daily basis is to take an inventory of how he is feeling and what is bothering him,” says Bratcher. She suggests looking into areas of your life that initiate fear or anxiety and then searching for the root of these feelings. “For example, if you wake up day after day dreading going to work, then it is important to figure out what exactly it is about going to work that you don’t enjoy.” Do you have a demanding project that requires long hours? Are you required to work with an individual who is consistently negative and puts you in a bad mood? Is your boss extremely critical of the work you produce? Such circumstances create stress and deplete feelings of well-being. “Once you uncover the reasons behind why you feel unwell, you can then take the first step toward readying the situation,” Bratcher says.

Bratcher says that while there are a great many resources you can use or places you can go to improve well-being, she believes that introspection, and some prioritization are important before seeking external assistance. “The most effective way to help yourself feel better is to determine what you would like to change about your situation first. Trying to tackle all your issues at once will only leave you feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated, so choose one issue and then seek out the person or organization that can best assist you with that issue,” she suggests. Having a grasp on what exactly is bothering you or how you envision a more satisfied version of yourself, can save you time, energy and money. “Wellness or life coaches are a great option for people who already know what they would like to change in their life, but don’t know quite where to start.” Without that knowledge, however, there are other options to gain greater understanding. See “Resources” below for organizations that offer wellness programs.

As Bratcher says, wellness is a state of being that is available to everyone. It is not necessary to consistently live an existence full of stress, anger, anxiety or depression, and there are many ways to enrich your quality of life. Whether it is as simple as making time for a leisurely stroll after dinner or seeking assistance in developing a business plan, a constant pursuit of greater wellness can have a significantly positive impact. Heck, it might even save your life. But, according to Bratcher, you have to make the effort to go out and get it.

The following organizations can help you improve overall wellness:

The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center: 619-692-2077, www.thecentersd.org

Behavioral Health Sciences: 619-260-6380

Hillcrest Youth Center (for people aged 20 or younger): 619-497-2920

San Diego Professional Coaches Alliance: www.sandiegocoaches.com

The BioMechanics (offers non-surgical pain reduction programs and wellness coaching):

www.thebiomechanics.com Ryan Halvorson is a certified personal trainer, author and speaker. E-mail Ryan at editor@uptownpub.com.